The brain is extra-ordinarily sensitive to alcohol . Alcohol is a depressant drug that reduces the pace of brain activity combination of effects . Alcohol affects the function of neurotransmitters by altering the communication between them .

A little bit of alcohol might help brain clean itself, new research published Friday in Scientific Reports. The research was done in mice, so it’s impossible to say if the benefit is the same for humans.

Nedergaard has studied the glymphatic system, a recently discovered system that helps clear waste from the body, since 2012.Their latest work found that low amounts of alcohol could help the glymphatic system work better. In the study, mice were given a “low level” of alcohol, the equivalent of two-and-a half-drinks. Compared to mice who were not given the alcohol, the glymphatic systems of the experimental group showed improved function.

The researchers found that supportive cells of the brain known as glial cells appeared less inflamed among mice given low doses of alcohol compared to controls. “This might be what I’m most surprised about.” Nedergaard thinks this mechanism could explain why the mice’s glymphatic systems were working better.

Seeing an improvement among the mice given alcohol went against expectations. “Normally, when you do a study, your control mice are the ones who are doing best,” Nedergaard explained. “It’s hard to improve something that’s already healthy,” she said. She and her team repeated the experiment a few times to make sure the results turned out the same; they did.

The results are not necessarily an excuse to go for that third glass of wine. “Of course, we cannot say anything about humans because mice are different. They have a much faster metabolism,” Nedergaard said. “If anything, it should be a lower amount in humans.” Also, mice that were given higher levels of alcohol showed signs that their glymphatic systems were working more poorly.

Alcohol is included in the national dietary guidelines. Studies have shown that moderate drinking can decrease the risk for heart disease and stroke. Researchers at Louisiana State University reiterated that in a study published Thursday that showed antioxidants, like the ones in red wine, may improve stents. However, the number of drinks per day that would make someone a “moderate” drinker may seem disappointing: just one drink for women and two for men.

"The brain is extra-ordinarily sensitive to alcohol ."

Alcohol alters the specific gravity of the blood, and the first organ it acts upon is the inner ear which contains endolymph and perilymph and which is hypersensitive to any change in SG of these compartments. Hence the obvious disorders of balance.

So can we have any example of alcohol acting on the brain which cannot be derived from or is not secondary to disorders of the vestibular system, or to hydrodynamic changes in the lymphatic system? If the brain tissue were that directly sensitive, why don't we see the whole range of general neurological signs and symptoms with alcohol intoxication?

Hi Dr Dennis,,, red wine contain resveratol and it can protect brain damage after stroke. There are some suggestions that moderate alcohol consumption might have some protective role in Alzeihmers dementia,, though much more data is required.. Thanks